OK, I may have found my true top of the draft talent. Hunter Greene is a 6'4", 205 lb HS senior from Stevenson Ranch, CA, and in the words of his Perfect Game profile, he just might be the top position prospect AND the top pitching prospect of the 2017 draft class, all in one! Despite his size, he has easy plus range at SS and obviously has the arm to make the throw from the hole. At the plate, he has a fairly simple short load in his hands. He has a leg kick, but it appears to come naturally and does not get in the way of his timing. He won the PG National HR derby! On the mound, he has very easy 96-98 MPH heat.
Most scouts project him as a pitcher in the pros, but a significant minority want to see him stay at SS and think he can carry that position all the way to the majors. I just wonder, what with Bumgarner turning himself into a pinch-hitting force and Joe Maddon shuttling pitchers between the mound and LF if we might be on the verge of seeing an organization try to develop a true 2-way prospect? He probably could not be a SP and also play SS on non-pitching days due to the fatigue factor, but could he start and DH between starts for an AL team? Could he play a position every day and relieve for an inning every few games? His quickest route to the majors is almost certainly on the mound, which is why I think that's where he ends up.
I don't really have a comp for him at SS, but Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr. come to mind, maybe even ARod. On the mound it's easier. His delivery and follow through are the spittin' image of a HOF'er from my childhood, Bob Gibson!
Anyway, run, don't walk, over to Google and look up this kid's scouting reports and videos. Prepare to be amazed!
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On the topic of super-utility roles...while perhaps, at 25 and some MLB experience, no longer a true prospect, the Padres are reported to be considering Christian Bethancourt as a pitcher, catcher, and outfielder.
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